Opinions needed on Custom skates

[Tblank9 0]

Hi, so I recently have been searching for a good skate to replace my OLD Missions, have never really "loved" how they fit. They did however work out for me for over 4yrs so I cant complain much. I went to my LHS, and tried on every brand I can find. Didnt care for much so I went to the Ice skates, and tried on tons of them...Easton skates are an amazing fit for me. I then asked the people working there if they had or can get a Hi Lo chassis to mmount of the skates. I figured they couldnt since chassis are so few are far between these days. To my surprise, they can get a Red Star frame (have always wanted one anyhow) in Large and Medium size. Now that I have covered the background my questions is...would it be worth me buying the New Easton S7's for nearly 200 dollars (not bad IMO) spendning the 45 bucks on the chassis, 30 to mount, and at least 80 on wheels and bearings? That will be 350 dollars, for basically a 200 dollar boot. I do like how the skate fits, actually I love how it fits...but seems like overkill. I do not play ice so buying the skate for ice isnt an option.

How about an older Mission Amp Flyweight Ice boot with the Redstar chassis? This skate is on closeout for really cheap at my LHS, To me its a super clunky feeling boot, but my buddy loves the look and fit of that skate. He wants to convert it. Being the skate is under 100 bucks...seems like a steal if he likes it.

Thanks for any input in advance.

[davezilla 0]

If that's the boot that fits you the best, you should go for it. In my opinion ice boots are of much higher quality than a roller boot of the same price. Plus there's the uniqueness factor knowing that no one else has a skate exactly like yours.

[mattzilla 0]

In my opinion ice boots are of much higher quality than a roller boot of the same price.

what are you basing that on exactly?

[Tblank9 0]

How about wheels and bearings? I have always used Hyper wheels, ive learned alot of you guys dont care for them. Previously Ive mostly used Formula G's and loved them, I think I am going to try my luck with 688 bearings on the new skates. Leaning at a set of Hyper Trinities paired with BSB Titiuam bearings. While weight isnt a huge deal...going for a light setup mostly because...honestly lighter is cool...i guess. The S7 Boot, RS E-Frame, along with mini bearings should be a fairly light weight setup.

[top-shelf 1]

I don't know if that would be a "light-weight" setup or not, but it would be sweet nonetheless. I don't know a whole lot about the new Easton Stealth skates, so I can't help you there. I've had experience with Red-Star frames and I absolutely loved them. The only problem that I had with them though was with the screws. Since the bolts screwed right into the chassis and not into another flush-mount screw, I stripped out the chassis threads... Not really a huge problem if you're just really careful about screwing your wheels in and not doing them crazy tight.

As far as wheels go, I love Formula G's. I've used a gazillion different wheels and, in my opinion, I think that the Formulas are the best wheel for the price. Another great option would be the Rink Rat TB822's. They got the same hub as the Hornets and they are dual-poured. Great wheels if you're on a budget.

http://www.epuck.com/webapp/wcs/stores/ser...ategory_rn=4924

[davezilla 0]

In my opinion ice boots are of much higher quality than a roller boot of the same price.

what are you basing that on exactly?

seeing how there are more components on an inline skate (boot, frame, axles, wheels, bearings) versus an ice skate,(boot, holder, steel) it makes sense that it would cost more to produce an inline skate of the same caliber than a ice skate.

Also based on my experience inline boots are not as stiff as ice boots. I also prefer the hydrophobic liner mostly found in ice boots. Although inline skates are a lot more durable (on inline surfaces) than ice skates.

[mattzilla 0]

so... let me get this straight...

an ice hockey skate is more durable on ice than a rollerblade skate because..? ice is rougher than concrete or tile?

doesnt make sense.

[fatwabbit 93]

Most ice hockey skates are also built real stiff, but I think the Wicked line is supposed to be really stiff as well.

Dont forget that inline boots are also designed to take more abrasion from the ground...

[davezilla 0]

so... let me get this straight...

an ice hockey skate is more durable on ice than a rollerblade skate because..? ice is rougher than concrete or tile?

doesnt make sense.

Although inline skates are a lot more durable (on inline surfaces) than ice skates.

[ATLstealth09 0]

Mattzilla: the implied factor is simple. Shouldn't be difficult to understand.

For example:

Skate A and Skate B each cost $400. Skate A is a roller skate, while B is an ice skate.

To find Boot A's cost, subtract cost of wheels, bearings, chassis from $400.

To find Boot B's cost, subtract cost of holders and runners from $400.

Generally, since cost fluxuations and profit margins remain close on most products, price of holders + runners is about $80-100 for the set.

Wheels, bearings, and chassis cost up to usually around $80 + $50 + $100, which is more than double the cost of holders + runners.

Thus, Boot A costs about $400 - $230, roughly $170.

And, Boot B costs about $400 - $100, roughly $300.

This is only a ratio, and of course, actual costs of production will fluxuate accordingly. The ice boot has less mechanical components (wheels, bearings, chassis), thus, more of it's cost can be directed towards the boot.

Sometimes this may not hold true, as the price ranges for skates usually remain about the same, with top end peaking at about $500. I am only demonstrating the math behind costs. It is not entirely accurate, but I'm sure if you find actual costs of productions, they will have the same results, with ice boots costing more to produce.

[bombit 0]

Mattzilla: the implied factor is simple. Shouldn't be difficult to understand.

For example:

Skate A and Skate B each cost $400. Skate A is a roller skate, while B is an ice skate.

To find Boot A's cost, subtract cost of wheels, bearings, chassis from $400.

To find Boot B's cost, subtract cost of holders and runners from $400.

Generally, since cost fluxuations and profit margins remain close on most products, price of holders + runners is about $80-100 for the set.

Wheels, bearings, and chassis cost up to usually around $80 + $50 + $100, which is more than double the cost of holders + runners.

Thus, Boot A costs about $400 - $230, roughly $170.

And, Boot B costs about $400 - $100, roughly $300.

This is only a ratio, and of course, actual costs of production will fluxuate accordingly. The ice boot has less mechanical components (wheels, bearings, chassis), thus, more of it's cost can be directed towards the boot.

Sometimes this may not hold true, as the price ranges for skates usually remain about the same, with top end peaking at about $500. I am only demonstrating the math behind costs. It is not entirely accurate, but I'm sure if you find actual costs of productions, they will have the same results, with ice boots costing more to produce.

In theory this makes sense, but it's overlooking the production and marketing differences between the two products. We can't really assume that the markup on both skates is equal unless we're the ones setting the price

That being said, if I spend $200 on inlines and $200 on an ice boot, I'd feel more comfortable with the quality of the ice boot.